Hiking Koh Tao

Do you like hikes? Do you like views? Do you like isolated beaches and bays? If so then you will LOVE hiking Koh Tao all along the southern end of the island. This hike takes you from Sairee Beach all along the coast and around to the southern tip of Koh Tao, where you can even end up at the John Suwan viewpoint if you choose so. You will pass by several beaches and turquoise blue bays as you walk through greenery and along the ocean. It is one of the most scenic there is on Koh Tao and is sure not to disappoint. The great thing about the hike is that it is all relatively flat and you will have plenty of options to stop along the way to enjoy each destination. Be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, a bathing suit, and plenty of sunscreen, water and snacks.

Map / Location of Hike

The hike can start as early as Sairee beach but the main starting point of the trail is right past the Sensi Paradise Resort. It is about a 30 minute walk from Sairee to the resort so you can choose to do that or take a quick taxi ride. You will continue this path all the way to Freedom Beach and onto the John Suwan viewpoint depending on how long you would like to hike for. Below is a map of some of the stops you will hit along the way.

Need a place to stay in Koh Tao? Browse through some top rated hotels:

Hiking Koh Tao

The hike itself is pretty easy to follow once you get on the path at the Sensi Paradise Resort. Follow it until you reach Jansom Bay and its crystal clear water. You will see a sign that requires an entrance fee but that is supposedly just if you are planning on staying for a while and using their chairs. Feel free to hop in the water and swim out to the bamboo rafts, which you can hang out and relax on. After some time in the water, grab your stuff and continue south along the path. As you continue this route, you will find yourself overlooking some incredible viewpoints. There are a few abandoned resorts and buildings which you can stroll through and find the best area to take some pics.

You will soon pass four more beaches along the way – Sai Nuan I and II, and Tao Thong I and II. After the beaches of Tao Thong, the path got a bit tricky (at least for us). We headed down to the water through some bush and were able to walk alongside the ocean on rocks and stone paths. There is also a way to get closer to the main road which might be a bit easier. Whatever you do make sure you end up for an afternoon lunch break at the View Point Resort– one of the nicest places you will come across on the island. At the time we were there around early afternoon, they had an incredible spread of all types of food and drink buffet style. Now it did not come cheap (around $25 per person) but it was well worth it after several hours of hiking the coast.

If you are up for it, you can make your way to Chalok Baan Kao Bay. Once finished with lunch you can either walk your way along the road or ask the resort to drive you there for a few dollars (they were nice enough to do so for us). You can stroll along the bay and around to Freedom Beach where you can then catch the trail up to the John Suwan viewpoint and get a great view of the entire island of Koh Tao from its southern most tip. Once done with your day of hiking, you can then grab a cab to take you back to your hotel.

Take a look at some Thailand guide books to better prepare you for your trip:

G.Mannaerts / Wikimedia Commons

Where to Stay in Koh Tao

Koh Tao is not that large of an island but there are a few different areas that you can stay in. The main area will be around Sairee Beach, where you will find many restaurant and nightlife options. You can also choose to stay further away from the main area in more secluded parts of the island and then simply take a taxi to Sairee to start your day. Feel free to check out a list of places to stay. Here are just a few recommended options around the island:

That about wraps up the guide to a day of hiking in Koh Tao. Take a look at our other Thailand itineraries and guides to help out with any other trip planning. If you have any questions about the trip please feel free to comment below!